Whitehead, Frederick, Tea Specialist and Grocer, 81 Victoria Street, Auckland. Private residence, Vincent Street. Telephone, 503. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Few colonist have had a wider experience than Mr. F. Whitehead. He was born at Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, on the 1st of July, 1840, educated at Edenfield House, under Principal John Croom Lane, and articled to the tea and provision trade with Mr. John Chesman, of Great Grimsby. Owing to lameness he was released at seventeen from his indentures and removed to Whitby, where he entered the employment of Messrs Corney and Andrew, wholesale and retail confectioners, as clerk and assistant. At eighteen he decided to try his fortunes in London, where he served three years in the wholesale tea house of Messrs R. A. Wilson and Co., of the Society of Friends. At twenty he was examining teas at the London Docks, and attending Mincing Lane market; but he resigned twelve months later, and again went into the country trade, taking in succession the management of branch houses at Bushey and Pinnen, for Mr. Henry Kingham, of Watford. At twenty-three he again returned to Grimsby to manage his brother-in-law's business. In 1864 Mr. Whitehead took ship for Auckland, where he landed on the 4th of November, by the “British Trident.” Early in 1865 he went to Hokitika, but soon returned page 411 to Auckland, where he commenced business in Hobson Street, as partner in the firm of Whitehead and Airey. Business, however, proved to be on the down grade, and he went to Greymonth early in 1866, and spent his time in mining, until the Thames goldfields broke out, when he removed to the Thames. There he was made a Government mining assessor, and was also member of the Mining Conference under the Hon. J. Williamson, superintendent of the Province of Auckland, and manager of several properties. He afterwards left mining as a calling, and returned to commerce, in connection with which he successively represented Mr. Issac Phillips, Messrs W. J. Vance and Co., Mr. John Buchanan, and other leading merchants of Auckland, and holds first class certificates for his various services. Mr. Whitehead took over his present business in 1875, when he re-built the premises, and has since conducted a trade of varying magnitude. As a trader and citizen he is trusted and esteemed, and as a business expert his services have been requisitioned by the leading merchants of the city, where his labours have given the greatest satisfaction.